Dental apparatus



March 9, 1954 Q v, F c s 2,671,269

DENTAL APPARATUS Filed A ril 3, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR 6.7200705 Vli'amaz' ATTORNEY March 1954 c. v. FRANCIS 2,671,269

DENTAL APPARATUS Fild April 5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.6. 19 13 1a INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DENTAL APPARATUS Charles V. Francis, Philip, S. Dak.

Application April 3, 1952, Serial No. 280,303

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to surgical retractors and deflectors, and particularly of a type which will permit of free and unobstructed access by the dentist to the selected area of operation.

Obviously, when a patient is having work done on his teeth the natural reaction of the tongue is to move toward the specific location where work is being performed by the dentist, particularly on the teeth in the lower jaw. When the dentist is working on the upper jaw there is an inclination of the cheek to interfere and restrict easy access to that particular location. Further, in the absence of any protective measures, a surplus amount of moisture tends to collect around the field of operation.

As a result of the need for an instrument to assist the dentist in his work with the minimum of normal interference from the patients reaction, the applicant has designed the subject apparatus to accomplish these objectives.

It is an object of my invention to provide means to prevent the patients tongue from moving around in the area where he is working.

Another object is to keep the tongue retracted without the exercise of actual pressure being applied to the tongue.

A further object is to provide means for holding the patients cheek sufficiently distanced from the specific work area, as well as to preclude the necessity of application of any force to the check in the process. I

An additional object is to provide an attac ment which may be easily secured against movement to a dental hand piece. -A still further object is to provide means for readily permitting the deflector to be secured to the attachment for the dental hand piece in a plurality of positions, dependent upon the specific area of operation.

The nature and advantages of the invention will best be understood when the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and the arrangement of the parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming a part of this application, like reference numerals denote similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure l is a side view of a dental hand piece Figure 3 is a similar view of the opposite sideif'.

Figure 4 is a rear view of thesame.

Figure 5 is a front view of the attachment secured on the dental hand piece.

Figure 6 is a front viewof the appliance to be attached to the dental hand piece when work is to be performed on the lower right jaw of the patient.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the attachment.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 9 is a rear view of the combined attachment and deflector when work is to be performed on the upper right side of the jaw.

Figure 10 is a front view of the same.

Figure 11 includes fragmentary views of a modification of the attachment and deflector.

The combination device comprising the subject invention may be made of any suitable material although spring metal is recommended. Even though the sizes of the two parts may be varied it has been found that average sizes are most suitable for the work generally performed by the dentist.

-The appliance as particularly shown attached to the dental hand piece in Figure 1 comprises two main parts, a retractor or deflector I0 and an attachment l2. In the particular embodiment shown the deflector is of general oval shape and is constructed from a thin, relatively flexible spring metal. The top portion of the deflector is bowed outwardly about the center, as at [4, to increase to the maximum the area of operation. Near the top of the deflector the material has been pressed out to form a groove [6 and it is to be observedthat the surface is approximately flush on the inner side, the pressed out portion being on the outer side. The pressed out portion forms a definite groove and is tapered. As viewed from the inner side, the groove is larger on the left side I8 and tapers inwardly toward the smaller end on the right side 20. The second part of the appliance comprises an attachment l2 having an open end 22 and a closed end 24 which is preferably made from a continuous piece of spring metal. The neck or collar portion 26 is adapted to partially encircle the head or tool holding end 28 of a dental hand piece 30.

Flanges or pins 32 and 34 are integrally formed on each side of the attachment l2 near the top of the enlarged side portions 36. The edges of these flanges are rounded but their outside peripheries are serrated or roughened at 38. It is further to be noticed that their longitudinal widths are less thanthe Widths of the enlarged portions at this particular location. This permits of easy application and removal of; the gd flectorgfrom the attachment.

The side portions 40, extending past the rounded or semi-circular neck or collar portions are turned inwardly to assist in maintaining the attachment l2 tightly clamped to the dental hand piece 30. As shown in the drawings, the flanges 32 and 34 are integrally secured on the relatively flat shelf portions 42 which spaces the flanges a suitable distance from the enlarged side portions 38 and additionally enables the deflector to be easily removed from; or attached. to the attach ment I2.

The purpose of the groove I6 and the flanges 32 and 34 is to also assist in attaching the deflector ID in a plurality of selected positions and in that the groove is a tapering one, the desired flange may be readily inserted therein and pressed until it is firmly wedged into position. Further, because of this tapering engagement the depressor may be as quickly removed.

In operation, when the attachment I2 is secured to the dental hand piece for work on the right lower jaw the deflector i is positioned on the inner flange 34 of the attachment with the larger portion of the deflector extending downwardly from the hand piece toward the floor of the patients mouth. Because of this positioning the deflector or depressor will serve to keep the patients tongue away from the teeth and. minimize the possible contact with a revolving burr or instrument used by the dentist. At the same time, when the dentist is to work on a tooth on the left side of the lower jaw the deflector is mounted to the now inner flange 32 to prevent the tongue from contacting the teeth on that side of the mouth, as particularly described and shown in Figure 4. When the dentist is to work on teeth in the upper jaw the member I2 is secured to the hand piece with the relative positions of the members reversed. These positions are specifically shown in Figures 6, 9 and 10. When the deflector is applied to the attachment when work is to be performed on the left side of the upper jaw it is positioned on the flange 32 so that the defleotor extends downwardly in order to prevent the patients check from contacting the teeth and further acts as a guard in the event the dentist's instrument should slip in the hand of the operator. Obviously, when work is being accomplished on the opposite side of the mouth the deflector is attached on the flange 34 of the attachment.

With further reference to the various positions of the attachment and the relative arrangement of the deflector, attention is directed to Figures 6, 9 and where these constructions are clearly disclosed. Figure 4 shows the attachment in theposition to be secured to the dental hand piece for work on the lower jaw wherein the deflector is secured on the appropriate side when work is to be done in this area, that is on the right side of the jaw.

Figure 6 shows the position of the parts when work is to be performed on the left side of the lower jaw; Figure 9 when working on the left side of the upper jaw; and Figure 10 is a rear view of the combination appliance when in position for work on the right side of the upper jaw.

In the views showing the modification in Figure 11, the attachment comprises a ring 43 of spring metal adapted to encircle and springingly engage the lower neck 44 of the tool holding end oi the dental hand piece. One end of the ring 43 is bent back to form the hook or prong 46 and the ring as formed approaches the numeral two (2) in appearance. The deflector 48 shown in these views is similar to the deflector l0 excepting that a short extension 50 is formed therefrom in which a groove 52 is provided. Further, this groove 52 may be a tapering one to additionally secure the hook 46 of the depressor against movement when inserted.

It can readily be appreciated from the specification and drawings that an attachment and deflector for a dental hand piece has been provided that are capable, in either the preferred form or the modification, of maintaining the deflector in a plurality of selected positions with the minimum of adjustment.

Further, both the deflector and the attachment may be readily applied and removed from the dental hand piece- Because of this interchangeability, it is possible for the operator to quickly arrange the parts so that the tongue and cheek may be adequately protected regardless of the selected area of operation.

It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various forms of the invention hereindisclosed can be modified one in accordance with the other without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as set forth in the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a combination dental appliance, a dental handpiece, an attachment secured thereto, elongated side portions 0 said attachment, flanges integrally secured on the outer surfaces of said elongated side portions, a tongue deflector having a groove formed therein adapted to receive one of said flanges whereby said deflector may be positioned between the tongue and teeth of the patient.

2. In a combination dental appliance, a dental handpiece, an attachment secured thereto, elongated side portions on said attachment, serrated flanges integrally secured on the outer surfaces of said elongated side portions and spaced therefrom, a tongue deflector plate having groove formed therein adapted to receive one of said flanges whereby said deflector plate may be positioned between the tongue and teeth of the patient.

3. In a combination dental appliance, a dental handpiece, an attachment secured thereto, elongated side portions on said attachment, flanges integrally secured on the outer surfaces of said elongated side portions, a tongue deflector plate, a groove formed in said deflector tapering inwardly from the entrance end and adapted to wedgingly receive one of said flanges whereby said deflector may be positioned between the tongue and teeth of the patient.

' 4. In a combination dental appliance, a dental handpiece, an attachment secured thereto, elongated side portions on said attachment, flanges integrally secured on the outer surfaces of said elongated sideportions, a tongue deflector plate, a groove formed in said deflector tapering inwardly from the entrance end and adapted to ing horizontally positioned pins on each side thereof, a tapering horizontally located recess formed in said deflector and adapted to receive one of said pins, serrations formed on the of said pins, means for securing said deflector in operable position on said attachment comprising said tapering recess and serrated pins.

6. In a dental appliance, the combination for positioning on a dental handpiece comprising an attachment and a deflector, said attachment having horizontally positioned pins on each side thereof, said attachment having a semi-circular dental handpiece engaging portion and an elongated upper portion on each side thereof, the open ends of said semi-circular portion being turned inwardly to firmly clasp the dental handpiece, tapering horizontal recess formed in said deflector and adapted to receive one of said pins, each of said pins being serrated on their outer surfaces, means for bindingly securing said deflector in operable vertical position on said attachment comprising said tapering recess and serrated pins.

7. In a dental appliance, the combination for positioning on a dental handpiece comprising an attachment and a retractor, said attachment having horizontally positioned serrated pins on each side thereof, said attachment having a semi-circular hand piece engaging portion and straight side portions extending in front of the open end of said semi-circular portion, the open ends of the attachment for said dental handpiece portion being turned inwardly to firmly clasp the hand-- piece, a tapering horizontal groove formed in said retractor for selective positioning of one of said pins whereby said attachment is held in binding relationship.

8. In combination with an attachment comprising a dental hand piece engaging collar having inturned flanges and an elongated U-shaped upper portion, a tongue deflector vertically positioned thereon, connecting means on said attachment and said tongue deflector to firmly hold said tongue deflector in operable selected position, said means comprising horizontally disposed pins on said attachment and a horizontal groove in said tongue deflector to receive one of said pins.

9. In combination with an attachment comprising a dental hand piece engaging collar having inturned flanges and an elongated U-shaped upper portion, a tongue deflector vertically positioned' thereon, connecting means on said attachment and said tongue deflector to flrmly secure said tongue deflector in operable selected vertical position, said means comprising horizontally disposed pins on each side of said attachment and a horizontally disposed tapering groove in said tongue deflector to wedgingly secure said tongue deflector in said operable selected vertical position.

10. In combination with an attachment comprising a dental hand piece engaging collar member having inturned flanges and an elongated U-shaped upper portion, a tongue deflector vertically positioned thereon, connecting means on said attachment and said tongue deflector to firmly secure said tongue deflector in operable selected vertical position, said means comprising horizontally disposed pins on each side of said attachment, a flat portion between said pins and said attachment spacing the pins therefrom, and a horizontally disposed tapering groove in said tongue deflector to bindingly secure said tongue deflector in position.

1 In combination with an attachment comprising a dental hand piece engaging collar member having inturned flanges and an elongated Ushaped upper portion, a tongue deflector vertically positioned thereon, connecting means on said attachment and said tongue deflector to flrmly secure said tongue deflector in spaced vertical position, said means comprising horizontally disposed pins on each side of said elongated U-shaped upper portion, a flat portion to space said pins from said elongated portion, a horizontally disposed tapering groove in said tongue deflector to bindingly maintain said tongue deflector in operable vertical position, and additional means for securing said tongue deflector in position comprising serrated pin edges.

12. In a combination dental appliance, a dental hand piece and an attachment secured thereto, a tongue deflector, an extension on said tongue deflector having a tapered groove located therein, a prong on said attachment adapted to be received in said tapered groove to support said tongue deflector in one of a plurality of positions.

13. In a combination dental appliance, a dental hand piece and an attachment secured thereto comprising a semi-circular spring metal ring having a prong formed on one end, a tongue deflector having an extension thereon, a tapered groove formed in said tongue deflector adapted to receive said prong to support said tongue deflector in one of a plurality of positions.

14. In a combination dental appliance, a dental hand piece and an attachment secured thereto comprising a spring metal ring of approximately a numeral 2 formation, a tongue deflector having an extension thereon, a tapered groove formed in said tongue deflector adapted to wedgingly receive the leg of said ring to support said tongue deflector in one of a plurality of positions.

CHARLES V. FRANCIS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,004,118 Waters Sept. 26, 1911 1,067,571 Abbott July 15, 1913 

